| 1 | Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a [self-confident] fool. |
| 2 | Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does not alight. |
| 3 | A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a [straight, slender] rod for the backs of [self-confident] fools. |
| 4 | Answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. |
| 5 | Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes
and
conceit. |
| 6 | He who sends a message by the hand of a
[a]fool cuts off the feet [of satisfactory delivery] and drinks the damage. |
| 7 | Like the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool. |
| 8 | Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a [self-confident] fool. |
| 9 | Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man, so is a proverb in the mouth of a [self-confident] fool. |
| 10 | [But] like an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or chance passers-by. |
| 11 | As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly. |
| 12 | Do you see a man wise in his own eyes
and
conceit? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him. |
| 13 | The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way! A lion is in the streets! |
| 14 | As the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man [move not from his place] upon his bed. |
| 15 | The slothful
and
self-indulgent buries his hand in his bosom; it distresses
and
wearies him to bring it again to his mouth. |
| 16 | The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
and
conceit than seven men who can render a reason
and
answer discreetly. |
| 17 | He who, passing by, stops to meddle with strife that is none of his business is like one who takes a dog by the ears. |
| 18 | Like a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death, |
| 19 | So is the man who deceives his neighbor and then says, Was I not joking? |
| 20 | For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases. |
| 21 | As coals are to hot embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife. |
| 22 | The words of a whisperer
or
slanderer are like dainty morsels
or
words of sport [to some, but to others are like deadly wounds]; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body [or of the victim’s nature]. |
| 23 | Burning lips [uttering insincere words of love] and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel covered with the scum thrown off from molten silver [making it appear to be solid silver]. |
| 24 | He who hates pretends with his lips, but stores up deceit within himself. |
| 25 | When he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart. |
| 26 | Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly. |
| 27 | Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone [up a height to do mischief], it will return upon him. |
| 28 | A lying tongue hates those it wounds
and
crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin. |
Cross references:
-
Proverbs 26:1 : Isa. 32:6.
-
Proverbs 26:2 : Num. 23:8.
-
Proverbs 26:5 : Matt. 16:1-4; 21:24-27.
-
Proverbs 26:6 : Prov. 13:17.
-
Proverbs 26:12 : Prov. 29:20; Luke 18:11; Rom. 12:16; Rev. 3:17.
-
Proverbs 26:13 : Prov. 22:13.
-
Proverbs 26:15 : Prov. 19:24.
-
Proverbs 26:19 : Eph. 5:4.
-
Proverbs 26:21 : Prov. 15:18; 29:22.
-
Proverbs 26:27 : Ps. 7:15, 16; 9:15; 10:2; 57:6; Prov. 28:10; Eccl. 10:8.
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